“The operators are graded. Grade A workers get 4,500 rupees ($US45) per month and grade B workers get 3,800 rupees, less than $1.50 per day. Grade C and D workers get even less. A helper gets only 3,200 rupees and an unskilled trainee worker gets just 2,800 rupees.”
“The minimum apprenticeship period for a trainee worker is six months but it can be extended at management's whim. Most workers acquire the required skills within a month or so but have to wait several more months to get the salary of a skilled worker. This is manipulation to pay less but get more work.”
“These grades are also used to split workers. Management consciously follows the 'divide and rule' principle. For instance, breakfast time for the staff (engaged in supervisory and administrative work) is different to that for the factory floor workers.”
Visits to the factory by labour department officials are rare and even then the management threatens workers not to talk to them or make complaints. Workers suspect that these officials are “looked after” by the management. “We can't talk about the real situation when the labour office visits us,” the worker commented. “If we say anything, staff members will tell the big boss and we will have to quit the job.”
Under these increasingly oppressive conditions, the company is using police methods to prevent workers organising. Criticisms of the factory management are banned. If somebody is caught complaining, they can be sacked immediately without any inquiry. Management is particularly careful to ensure that new recruits comply with these threats.
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